Small Joint Surgery for Osteoarthritis

Topic Overview

If
osteoarthritis in the joints of the
hands or
feet is so severe that function is impossible (rare
with osteoarthritis), surgery may allow some pain-free
motion.

In the hands, the goal is enough pain-free motion to allow the person
to do basic daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Surgery for
severe arthritis in the small joints of the hands is more commonly seen with
rheumatoid arthritis.

In the feet, the goals of surgery are usually to allow the person to
be able to wear shoes comfortably and to walk as normally as possible. Surgery
to repair bunions or
hammer toes is fairly common in osteoarthritis.

Joining together (fusion) of smaller joints may be more commonly used
than replacement.

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